Innovation in Second Generation Mental Health Courts
65 Pages Posted: 15 Oct 2008
Date Written: October 14, 2008
Abstract
Mental health courts divert mentally ill offenders from the criminal justice system into court-ordered treatment. Since their creation a decade ago, mental health courts have continued to change court policies, practices and services to improve participant success. This article first argues that the structure and characteristics of mental health courts facilitated this innovation. Next, it analyzes qualitative interview data on how seven mental health courts have changed since 2003 and the potential impact of those changes on client success and the courts' capacity for future change. The article concludes that innovation remains key to mental health court success.
Keywords: Mental Health Courts, Organizational Innovation
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